ZOLIX SKV Series Stainless Steel Manual Vertical Translation Stage (Vacuum-Compatible)

Overview

The ZOLIX SKV Series Stainless Steel Manual Vertical Translation Stage is a precision-engineered, vacuum-compatible linear motion stage designed for demanding optical alignment, laser beam path adjustment, and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) experimental setups. Built upon a direct-acting (push-rod) mechanical architecture, the SKV stage delivers repeatable vertical displacement with sub-micron sensitivity and minimal tilt error. Its core kinematic principle relies on a calibrated micrometer screw driving a hardened stainless steel push rod against a preloaded linear ball slide rail system—ensuring low-friction, hysteresis-minimized motion without backlash or stick-slip behavior. Unlike rack-and-pinion or worm-gear alternatives, the micrometer-driven straight-lift mechanism provides deterministic positional control ideal for interferometric alignment, cavity length tuning in external-cavity lasers, and sample height calibration in scanning probe microscopy (SPM) auxiliary stages. The entire structure is fabricated from 304 stainless steel and subjected to sandblasting followed by chemical passivation—a surface treatment certified to meet ASTM A967 and ISO 16048 standards for corrosion resistance and low outgassing rates (<1×10⁻⁹ Pa·m³/s·cm² at 23°C), making it suitable for integration into UHV chambers (≤10⁻⁷ Pa operating environments).

Key Features

• Micrometer-driven vertical actuation with 0.01 mm minimum readable increment and 0.5 mm axial displacement per full 360° rotation—enabling precise, tactile, and drift-free positioning without power or electronics.
• Linear ball slide rail guidance system ensures smooth, low-hysteresis motion with static parallelism maintained within ≤100 µm across full stroke—critical for maintaining optical axis collimation during height adjustment.
• Vacuum-rated construction: 304 stainless steel body with passivated surface finish compliant with NASA/ESA outgassing specifications (ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C) and compatible with bake-out temperatures up to 150°C.
• Modular mounting interface: Standardized tapped hole patterns (M4 and M6 on 25 mm grid) on both top platform and base allow rigid coupling to other translation stages (X, Y, θ) to construct multi-axis kinematic stacks per ISO 10175-2 guidelines.
• Zero-lubrication operation: Dry-running contact surfaces eliminate hydrocarbon contamination risk—essential for photonics, synchrotron beamline, and cryogenic optical benches.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The SKV series accommodates optical components including mirrors (up to Ø50 mm), lens mounts, fiber couplers, and detector carriers weighing up to 3 kg (central static load). Its flat, ground top surface (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm) ensures stable seating of kinematic mounts and avoids parasitic tilt under load. All materials and assembly processes conform to RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and REACH Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006. For regulated laboratory environments, the stage supports GLP-compliant documentation traceability via batch-specific material certifications (EN 10204 3.1) and surface finish verification reports.

Software & Data Management

As a fully manual, non-motorized device, the SKV stage requires no firmware, drivers, or software integration. Positional data is recorded directly from the engraved micrometer scale—eliminating electronic noise, latency, or cybersecurity concerns. For labs implementing digital lab notebooks (e.g., LabArchives, Benchling), users may log readings manually or integrate with USB microscope cameras for scale-image capture and timestamped archival—fully compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when paired with appropriate audit-trail-enabled platforms.

Applications

• Precision vertical alignment of retroreflectors in Michelson and Fabry–Pérot interferometers
• Height calibration of atomic force microscope (AFM) sample stages in ambient and vacuum conditions
• Beam elevation control in multi-pass cavity absorption spectroscopy systems
• Adjustment of objective lens working distance in inverted fluorescence microscopes with vacuum-compatible sample chambers
• Stackable Z-axis module in custom-built 5-axis optomechanical positioning systems per ISO 9283 repeatability standards

FAQ

Is the SKV stage compatible with ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems?

Yes—the 304 stainless steel body, passivated surface, and absence of adhesives or polymer seals meet standard UHV material requirements (outgassing rate <1×10⁻⁹ Pa·m³/s·cm²).
Can multiple SKV stages be stacked to achieve coarse + fine Z-motion?

Yes—standardized base and top mounting patterns support mechanical stacking; however, cumulative parallelism error must be evaluated per ISO 230-2 Annex B for multi-stage assemblies.
What is the maximum allowable moment load when mounting an off-center optic?

While rated central static load is 2–3 kg, eccentric loading beyond 10 mm offset is not recommended without supplemental lateral constraint; consult ZOLIX mechanical stability diagrams for torque derating curves.
Does the micrometer include locking capability?

No—locking is achieved externally via optional M4 set-screw kits (sold separately), preserving micrometer calibration integrity during long-term static positioning.
Are dimensional drawings and STEP files available for CAD integration?

Yes—ISO-standard 3D models and GD&T-specified 2D drawings are provided upon request with NDA, supporting SolidWorks, Fusion 360, and ANSYS Mechanical import.